Walsall College apprentice barber, Deone’s buzzing after industry magazine award win

@Walsall_College – A newly qualified barber can’t wait to get back to work so she can celebrate a national industry magazine award win with her colleagues and clients.

Deone Luke, who works at Nu Era Barbershop in Walsall scooped Modern Barber Magazine’s Best apprentice Award. The Modern Barber Awards demonstrate the talents of rising star apprentices, celebrating creative and commercial success across the industry.

Deone who completed her apprenticeship through Walsall College was the only female barber from five national finalists. Her award, sponsored by Wahl, now makes her an ambassador for the clipper/trimmer brand Gamma Plus UK.

She is also preparing to produce and share online barbering tutorials on her own YouTube channel.

“Being chosen as a finalist was crazy, so to actually win feels like an incredible achievement,” said 20-year-old Deone. “Had my dad not given me my first Wahl clipper, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“I want to say a massive thank you to my boss, Hannah for pushing me out of my comfort zone. Working at Nu Era meant I wasn’t just earning money, I was able to care about my clients too. It’s helped me hone my craft. I absolutely love what I do.”

Hannah McKnight, who owns Nu Era Barbershop nominated Deone for the Best Apprentice award.

“My team and I are so proud of Deone,” said Hannah. “She worked in two different barbers before Nu Era. Here, she had the training and support she needed to achieve her qualification.

“Now she has a bright future ahead. Her client base is growing. I know she’s going to inspire others to follow her path into an apprenticeship and into barbering.”

Deone added: “I’ve had a rollercoaster apprenticeship journey. It’s taken me nearly three years to be in this position. Thanks to Hannah and my college assessor, Laura, I’ve built up on a strong portfolio of work on Instagram. They encouraged me to keep practising and then practice some more. Learning different styles built my confidence and helped me believe I could do this. I can’t wait to get back to the salon and create new opportunities for myself.”